Open Door Health Services to open new office for pediatrics patients

Open Door Health Services has taken on a new office for their pediatric patients at 215 S. Hutchinson Ave. The location previously housed Garg Pediatrics before the practice moved out of state in September.(Photo11: Corey Ohlenkamp/Star Press)Buy Photo

MUNCIE, Ind. — A local healthcare organization is adding a Muncie office to further its community reach.

Open Door Health Services will begin seeing pediatrics patients at a new Muncie West office, 215 S. Hutchinson Ave., beginning the week of Oct. 22. The location previously housed Garg Pediatrics before the practice moved out of state in September. Those patients will be transferred to Open Door.

Pediatrics patients currently receiving care at Open Door's 333 S. Madison St. location can be seen at the new office, while those who wish to continue care at the current Madison Street location can do so with Open Door's family practice team.

Suzanne Clem, spokesperson for Open Door, said the new office will provide healthcare access to an area of the city in which the group previously didn't have a physical presence. Though this is a relocation of the existing pediatrics practice, by moving care to the new facility, Clem said Open Door is increasing capacity for more pediatric patients at both locations and opening up "much needed space for growth" at the Madison Street location — which already houses adult care, women’s health, behavior health, dental care and more.

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Open Door Health Services has taken on a new office for their pediatric patients at 215 S. Hutchinson Ave. The location previously housed Garg Pediatrics before the practice moved out of state in September.(Photo11: Corey Ohlenkamp/Star Press)

With this new location, Open Door will bring staff from Garg Pediatrics onto its team and will add more staff as the need arises. The practice coordinated with Open Door CEO Bryan Ayars this summer, and patients from Garg Pediatrics were notified in August of the switch.

"Many of their patients were similar to Open Door's in demographic, so both the Gargs and the Open Door team saw the proposal as a natural fit, one that would provide a smooth transition, and most importantly, high-quality continuation of care for patients," Clem said.

In addition to its medical team, Open Door also will place a member of its Indiana navigator team at the new location. Navigators help those without insurance identify affordable options and enroll. Clem said community members don't need to be patients to meet with a navigator.

Open Door also offers WIC services at its 333 S. Madison St. location. Clem said the organization anticipates extending those services, and adding other services, to the Muncie West office in the future.

Open Door also sees pediatric patients at its Anderson office on the campus of St. Vincent Hospital, as well as through the Open Door Mobile Unit. The Mobile Unit operates on school campuses in Muncie, Anderson and surrounding areas, and it serves students and community members of all ages.

Open Door will host an open house and Halloween party on Oct. 30 at the new Hutchison Avenue location. Providers will be on hand to answer questions and provide tours.

Open Door is a Federally Qualified Health Center serving more than 20,000 patients each year across East Central Indiana, according to a release. Patients are seen regardless of health insurance coverage.

New patients are welcome in all areas of care including adult primary care, women’s health, family planning, behavioral health, and dental care. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 765-286-7000. More information can be found at www.opendoorhs.org.

Audrey Kirby is a reporter at the Star Press. Follow her on Twitter @ajanekirby, and email her story ideas: ajkirby@muncie.gannett.com.